Replying to that assertion, King said: "How many times have you watched that comedy show? It's so old, so so antiquated. It's a funny show and that's what they do. I'd be disappointed if they didn't do that.

"Real football people know what went on tonight. We got to the 89th minute and it was 2-0.

"We had chances to go 2-1 and despite not having the lion's share of possession, to come away from the best team in the world in this environment and create five or six chances, that was a testament to their passion and courage.

"Against a top team in the world, we created chances. I'm delighted with our boys - I'm just sorry we didn't score. I thought we deserved a goal."

"Real football people know what went on tonight" - Noel King

Ireland did indeed have chances and might have got themselves back into the game had lone striker Stokes, whose loose pass led to the opening goal, not miskicked when attempting to convert the rebound from Clark's header as it came back off the woodwork.

The Celtic frontman had three more promising opportunities after the break.

King said: "He gave the ball away for the goal, but he worked his socks off. He was very creative and on another day, he could have got a hat-trick.

"But that's the life of a striker. If they score, they are a hero; if they don't, they are mugs."

Stokes admitted he had passed up several chances to get his name on he scoresheet, but insisted he would not dwell on his misses.

Asked about his chance from Clark's effort, he said: "I probably got ahead of the ball. I didn't think it was going to come that far off the bar, but I expected to do a little bit better.

"It was one of those nights. I'll be annoyed for half an hour, and then I'll let it go."

Live television coverage of Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan from 19:00 on Tuesday 15 October on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (ROI only). Live radio coverage on Game On from 19:00 on RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ.ie (Worldwide).